New York Red Bulls call on another Homegrown youngster in Matt Miazga

Talented young prospects keep rolling down the New York Red Bulls assembly line, as the club announced its latest Homegrown signing, center back Matt Miazga, on Thursday afternoon.

A 6-3, 185-lb defender from Clifton, N.J., Miazga is the eighth Red Bulls youth academy product to sign a Homegrown deal with New York. He has played for sevearal US youth national teams, most recently appearing for the U-18 squad, and helped the Red Bulls U-18 team win the U.S. Soccer Developmental Academy national championship last year.

“I am extremely happy to have signed Matt Miazga on a professional contract for the New York Red Bulls,” Red Bulls sporting director Andy Roxburgh (above) said in a statement. “Matt, a gifted center back for the US Under-18 national team and a graduate of our youth academy, is one of the brightest prospects in U.S. Soccer at his age and in his position and we will do our best to help him realize his undoubted potential.”

Miazga had signed a letter of intent to play college soccer at Michigan this fall, and said he also drew interest from professional clubs overseas, but he passed on those avenues when his home team came calling.

“I had other offers, but I chose the New York Red Bulls because that is where my heart lies,” Miazga said. “One day, I hope to play for the first team in Red Bull Arena in front of our wonderful fans and contribute to the club’s success in MLS. I want to thank my family and our youth academy coaches for helping me to realize my dream.”